If there’s a public address announcer at Edmond Memorial today and Norman North’s record is announced before it begins play at the American Legion AAA state tournament, some folks might figure the Timberwolves for a state-tourney farce.

Wrong.

“They’ve been playing a majors schedule,” North high school baseball coach Brian Aylor said.

Indeed they have.

Under the direction of coach Brad Dolejsi, Aylor’s springtime assistant, a close approximation of next spring’s North varsity squad has played a summer schedule against American Legion Majors programs, mostly comprised of high school graduates.

The squad’s played 32 games, winning 10, losing 20 and tying two. However, finally in position to play other squads like itself, North sees no reason why it can’t win a state championship.

The North AAA team opted out of the Pure Prairie League’s Seniors division just to meet tougher competition.

“We want these guys to play for the top prize whenever they play,” Dolejsi said. “And if that means playing for the summer state title, then that’s what it means.”

The T-Wolves meet Enid High at 2:30 p.m. today in the opening round of the tourney. Also on North’s side of the draw are Edmond Santa Fe and Pryor. On the other side resides the Enid Area team, Edmond Memorial, Vinita and Claremore.

North is still smarting from its failure to reach the Class 6A state tournament during the high school season as well as what seemed like a season-long run of bad luck that led to countless one-run defeats.

With that as a backdrop, the state tourney will serve North’s program in several ways

There’s the redemption angle for a young team that fell in high school regional play, also the any-championship-is-worth-winning angle as well as the this-could-set-the-stage-for-next-spring dynamic.

There may even be a fourth way to look at it.

Russell’s return

Cale Russell figures he played 100 baseball games in each of the calendar years of 2006, 2007 and 2008. Today, he’ll play his first game in months and only his fourth of the year.